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Themes in Urban Archaeology

The course will cover approaches to the archaeology of
urbanism, from its genesis to the medieval period. Emphasis will be on
important theoretical issues, including identities and institutions;
cities and empire; the architecture of power; town planning and urban
morphology; urban economies.NB: Current research approaches
(recording & analysing complex stratigraphy; formation processes
& taphonomy; using material culture and ecofacts) are covered in a
separate half-unit course (The archaeology of complex urban sites:
analytical and interpretative techniques (ARCLG219, 15 credits, 11
weeks)

Aims of the course

Provide a detailed introduction to theories of urbanism.

Appreciate the significance of the urbanism in the development of human society.

Consider, in thematic and synthetic ways, major issues of human
society in urban centres, including identities and institutions; cities
and empire; the architecture of power; town planning and urban
morphology; urban economies.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course a student should:

Have a sound grasp of theories of urbanism.

Appreciate the importance of critical approaches to archaeological and
textual sources within the context of urban archaeology.

Written and oral skills in analysis and presentation.

Appreciation of, and ability to apply, methods and theories of archaeological and historical analysis.

Teaching Methods

The main mode of delivery will be through 2-hour
lectures on specified topics, with input from both Institute staff and
external professionals working in the field. These will be augmented by
2-hour seminars (some of these held in the Museum of London
Archaeological Archive Research Centre) with input from appropriate
academic staff there. All course materials will be available to registered students through UCL’s VLE Moodle.